essay

Meanings

Noun

• A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.
• A test, experiment; an assay.
• An attempt.
• A proposed design for a postage stamp or a banknote.

Verb

• To try.
• To move forth, as into battle.

Origin

• Since late 16th century, borrowed from Middle French essay, essai, meaning coined by Montaigne in the same time, from the same words in earlier meanings 'experiment; assay; attempt', from Old French essay, essai, assay, assai, from Latin exagium ("weight; weighing, testing on the balance"), from exigo + -ium.
• From Middle French essayer, essaier, from Old French essaiier, essayer, essaier, assaiier, assayer, assaier, from essay, essai, assay, assai as above.